Sunset West’s furniture and appearance will be enjoyed for years to come with proper care and maintenance. Caring for outdoor furniture is much like caring for your car; keep it clean and protected and it will stay looking good. Neglect it, and it won’t. Add a coat of automotive or outdoor furniture wax to make that “new” look last even longer. Please review the following instructions thoroughly, as failure to maintain your furniture may void its warranty.
We recommend covering your outdoor furniture with outdoor covers (sold separately) when left outside during inclement weather. Covers MUST be properly sized, have a non-abrasive backing and be secured tightly to prevent the finish from being damaged when the covers move in the wind. Premature finish wear from covers is not covered under the warranty. Ensure frames and cushions are COMPLETELY dry BEFORE they are covered. Storing cushions separately indoors will prolong their life. Where possible, outdoor furniture should be stored inside during the off-season, especially in freezing environments.
Finally, to maintain or restore the luster of your furniture, after-market products are available to refresh UV protection and water repellency on both frames and cushions – apply as needed.
METAL
Sunset West offers powder coated metal frames in both aluminum and wrought iron. To clean, wash with a mild soap and warm water solution using a soft cloth. Do not use a coarse brush or harsh cleansers, as they may damage the finish. Always rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning. While drain holes are preventative, water can still gather in the frames, freeze, and cause the finish to crack and the frame to burst. Check holes for debris and clear them if necessary. Freeze damage is not covered by the warranty so be diligent. Coastal areas as well as pool chlorine is very harsh on all metals. Salt and chlorine must be cleaned from frames on a regular basis, or the finish may oxidize, discolor and/or blister. Salt & chlorine damage is not covered under the warranty.
WOVEN RESIN Resin weaves are virtually maintenance free, however; it is recommended to clean the frames on a regular basis to prevent the build-up of dirt. In extreme climates where temperatures can reach above 100°, place furniture in 50% shaded areas.
TEAK
Sunset West uses true natural teak wood in their Teak collections. The Coastal Teak finish has an additional process to create a grey weathered look. To clean, wash with a mild soap and warm water solution using a soft cloth. DO NOT use harsh cleaners or abrasives as they will damage the finish. Our multi-step finish is applied to the rustic planks and then sealed with Golden Care® ‘Teak-Shield’. We recommend continuing to apply ‘Teak-Shield’ (sold separately) to aid the longevity of the finish. Touch-up kits are available through Sunset West to maintain your Coastal Teak finish as needed. When left exposed to the elements, the water-based finish will eventually wear away and uncover the natural teak underneath. The teak will then start its own natural weathering process, and slowly acquire the silver-gray patina that is the characteristic of untreated teak when exposed outdoors. Please note that during the weathering process, the appearance of the furniture may be uneven, but will eventually develop a beautiful, uniform, silvery-gray patina.
To prevent mildew, ensure teak remains well ventilated when stored and avoid puddling water or moisture buildup.
ROPE Sunset West crafts their rope furniture out of olefin rope, which is all-weather, colorfast, and stain resistant. Blot spills gently, and clean stains with mild soap and water and a soft cloth or very soft bristle brush. Do not use a coarse bush, or any abrasives or solvents when cleaning, as this may damage the rope and cause fraying.
STONE Sunset West offers occasional tables and fire tables in various stone materials. Clean natural GRANITE or CARRARA stone tops with a designated stone cleaner and soft cloth. Do not use harsh cleansers or abrasives. Blot spills with a paper towel or soft cloth immediately, then flush with water and very mild soap if necessary. Dry completely. For stubborn oil-based spills, use a nitrocellulose lacquer thinner (available at most home improvement stores) to dissolve and treat the stain. Do not use any acids or abrasives. We strongly advise sealing your stone furniture tops with a low sheen, impregnating stone sealer to protect your stone and maintain its beauty outdoors.
For CONCRETE pieces, wash with a mild soap and warm water solution using a soft cloth as needed. Through normal use, heat may cause the stone to expand and contract, and micro fissures may appear. These are easily filled with a touch up kit available through Sunset West. Do NOT expose to harsh chemicals, such as SOLVENTS, ABRASIVE cleaners or CHLORINE near a POOL, as these may stain and/or degrade your finish prematurely, and are not covered under warranty.
For GRANITE, CARARRA and CONCRETE tops, we recommend sealing with a water-based clear sealer such as Stonetech Bullet-Proof or similar, especially when being used in a harsh environment or where spills/stains may occur.
For SINTERED STONE simply wipe down with mild soap and water to clean. It is not necessary to seal SINTERED STONE tops.
CUSHIONS & SLINGS
Sunset West uses premium Sunbrella® solution dyed acrylic fabrics. It is recommended to clean the fabrics on a regular basis to prevent the build-up of dirt and the chance of mildew to form. Wipe light spills with a clean, dry cloth. With regards to stubborn stains or spills, please visit www.sunbrella.com for specific care and cleaning details. Allow cushions to drain if wet. If soaked through, stand cushion on its side to allow faster draining. Ensure cushions are dry when covered, store cushions separately. Clean sling fabric using a mild soap and warm water solution and soft cloth.
MOVING PARTS & HARDWARE
For pieces with moving parts, i.e. wheels, swivels, or dining table leaves, periodically check and tighten all nuts and bolts as necessary to keep them secure. The same goes for assembly hardware on tables, swivel rockers, etc.. Periodically exercise moving parts to keep them from locking up. This will ensure that all products continue to operate as they should.
GLIDES
Sunset West utilizes sacrificial glides on the bottom of legs and horizontal surfaces to protect both the furniture and the surface they are being used on. Occasionally inspect the glides and replace when they are worn. Do NOT wait until the heads are worn completely through to the metal or damage to the deck/patio/lanai surface will occur. Many of the glides are adjustable to compensate for uneven surfaces and will loosen over time. It is suggested that you keep them tight unless using this adjustable feature. If glides are allowed to back out too far, they can fall out or snap off under stress. This is not covered under the warranty.